Sabah's total trade reached RM105.5 billion in 2025, holding above the RM100 billion mark for the fourth consecutive year despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported [1, 2, 3]. The trade value declined 2.1% from RM107.8 billion in 2024, reflecting the impact of challenging conditions [1, 2, 3].

Exports fell 5.9% to RM57.7 billion, down from RM61.3 billion in 2024, while imports increased 2.8% to RM47.8 billion from RM46.4 billion [1, 2, 3]. This shift caused the trade surplus to shrink by 33.3%, totaling RM9.9 billion in 2025 compared to RM14.9 billion the year before [1, 2, 3].

Crude petroleum remained Sabah's largest export commodity, valued at RM17.1 billion or 29.7% of total exports. Palm oil followed closely at RM16.8 billion, representing 29.2% of exports [1, 2, 3]. Exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) rose 2.0% to RM4.6 billion [1, 2, 3]. On the import side, refined petroleum products accounted for RM4.8 billion worth [1, 2, 3].

The state's key trading partner was Peninsular Malaysia, with total trade hitting RM49.6 billion or 47.1% of Sabah's overall trade in 2025 [1, 2, 3]. China was second at RM10.4 billion, followed by Thailand (RM4.4 billion), South Korea (RM4.2 billion), and Japan (RM4.0 billion) [1, 2, 3].

Sabah's exports to ASEAN countries declined 4.2% to RM11.2 billion, with the Philippines as the largest destination at RM3.9 billion (34.5%), followed by Thailand with RM3 billion (26.4%), and Vietnam at RM2.1 billion (18.6%) [1].

By sector, the mining industry contributed RM23.2 billion (40.2%) to total exports, agriculture RM22.1 billion (38.3%), and manufacturing RM12.3 billion [1, 2, 3]. Imports were led by intermediate goods at RM17.5 billion, while consumption and capital goods imports grew by 13.2% and 9.1% respectively [2, 3].

The Department of Statistics Malaysia noted, "Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, the state's trade performance continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience" [2].

Sabah's trade values have fluctuated in recent years, peaking at RM118.0 billion in 2022 before dropping to RM105.0 billion in 2023 and rising again to RM107.8 billion in 2024 [2, 3]. 2025’s results mark the fourth consecutive year total trade exceeded RM100 billion [1, 2, 3].